RUSTIC SOFAS. 207 



unlike the habitations of the Httle prairie 

 dogs. 



The immense expense attending the pur- 

 chase of suitable furniture and kitchen-ware, 

 indeed, the frequent impossibihty of obtaining 

 these articles at any price, caused the early 

 settlers of Noi-thern Mexico to resort to inven- 

 tions of necessity, or to adopt Indian cus- 

 toms altogether, many of which have been 

 found so comfortable and convenient, that 

 most of those who are now able to indulge in 

 luxuries, feel but httle inchnation to introduce 

 any change. Even the few pine-board chairs 

 and settees that are to be found about the 

 houses are seldom used ; the prevailing fash- 

 ion being to fold mattrasses against the walls, 

 which, being covered over with blankets, are 

 thus converted into sofas. Females, indeed, 

 ttiost usually prefer accommodating them- 

 selves, a rindienne, upon a mere blanket 

 spread simply upon the floor. 



Wagons of Mexican manufacture are not 

 to be found; although a small number of 

 -American-built vehicles, of those introduced 

 by the trading caravans, have grown into use 

 among the people. Nothing is more calcu- 

 lated to attract the curiosity of strangers than 

 the unwieldy carretas or carts of domestic 

 construction, the massive wheels of which 

 are generally hewed out of a large cotton- 

 Wood. This, however, being rarely of suffi- 

 pient size to form the usual diameter, which 

 IS about five fcQi, an additional segment or 



felloe is pinned upon each edge, when the 



